Tape feeding mechanism



March 25, 1941. H, NORTH 2,235,845

TAPE FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filed March 5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 125, 1941. NORTH 2,235,845

TAPE FEEDING MECHANI SM ori in-a1 Filed March 5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet z Patented Mar. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAPE FEEDING MECHANISM Thomas H. Nam, St.

Paul, Minn, assignor to Trans-Lux Movie Ticker Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Application March 5, 1936, Serial No. 67,281 Renewed January 11, 1939 10 Claims.

Apparatus has been previously devised for V 10 drawing tape from a ticker past a projecting device. Due to the fact that the tape is not issued from the ticker at a constant speed, but

is rather issued intermittently, some means must be provided to move the tape past the projecting means at the same speed at which it comes from the ticker. In the past, this means hasgenorally consisted in a motorcontrolled by a switch operated by the ticker, or by action of the tape adjacent the ticker, to start and stop the motor 20' driving the tape pulling mechanism according to the speed of the ticker operation.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a feeding mechanism for the tape projecting means which will move the tape intermittently. 25 To accomplish this aim without any means for stopping and starting the motor, or without any means of varying the speed-of the motor is one of the objects of my invention.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a tape feeding means operable by a constant speed motor which is continuously in operation to move the tape intermittently. This result is accomplished by means of a clutch operated by the action of the tape to pull the tape until it catches 35 up to the ticker. The clutch then holds the tape stationary until the ticker once again gets ahead of the projecting means, whereupon the movement of the clutch feeds more tape past the projecting means. This clutch includes a positive mechanical drive, and does not comprise merely a friction slip clutch.

The clutch which I employ is of a planetary gear type in which the driving force from the motor may be transmitted either to a pulley 45 over which the tape passes, to pull the tape past the'projecting device, or to a drum which acts merely as an idle wheel. The forces are so arranged as to ordinarily transmit the power to the idle wheel, until a brake is applied to this 50 wheel, whereupon the pulley is rotated. The brake is applied by the tape issuing from the ticker.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more fully and clearly set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a tape projecting mechanism, with my clutch mechanism attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a front elevation View of the projecting mechanism and tape feeding mechanism illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the projecting'mechanism with the tape feeding mechl anism applied thereto.

Figure 4 is a front view of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 2, with the front Wall of the projector removed.

Figure 5 is a side view of the mechanism as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, with the side of the casing removed, and showing the lenses in cross-section.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the tape feeding mechanism, showing this apparatus more in detail.

Figure 7 is a front elevation View of the tape feeding mechanism illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the tape feeding mechanismshown in Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 6, showing the clutch feed drive in detail.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view on theline I t-|ll of Figures 9 and 6, showing the clutch feed drive of Figure 9.

Figure 11 illustrates sectionally through the center of the clutch mechanism, the arrangement of gearing therein.

Figure 12 illustrates more in detail the arrangement of gears in the clutch mechanism, and is a section taken on the line lE-IZ of Figure 11.

The tape feed mechanism A is for the purpose of feeding news print tape ll] from the ticker B 4Q be formed of ground glass or the like so as to be readily readable upon the front surface Ill. Idle rollers l9 mounted on either side of the projecting mechanism C, act to guide and control the position of the tape l0. Suitable ventilating openings 20, and a heat releasing ventilating opening 22 5 To feed the tape over the projecting apparatus C, I provide the feed mechanism A, secured by means of a bracket 23 to the outside of the housing 24 enclosing the projecting apparatus C. This mechanism C is connected mechanically to the driving motor 25 which is enclosed within the housing 24, to decrease the noise, and to improve the appearance of the unit.

The motor 25 is secured in position within the housing 24 in any suitable manner, as by the bolts 26. The motor drive shaft 21, Fig. 5, is connected by a coupling 28 to a shaft 29 extending through a wall of the housing 24 and journalled in a casing 39. The casing 39 is attached to the outside of the housing 24 by means of the bracket 23 as previously described. The shaft 29, on the portion thereof between the bearings 32 of the casing 39, bears a worm 33 in mesh with a worm wheel 34 mounted on the shaft 35 extend ing at right angles to the shaft 29. The shaft 35 extends from the casing 39, being journalled at the points 36 within this casing, to operate the clutch E forming a part of the feed mechanism A at a speed reduced from that of the motor 25.

The shaft 35 forms a journal for a disc 31 having a circumferential flange 38 thereupon. This disc 31 is free to rotate with respect to the shaft 35. Upon the shaft 35, I secure the pinion 39, rotatable with the shaft 35. Upon the end of the shaft 35 beyond the pinion 39, I mount a roller 49, freely rotatable with respect to the shaft 35. A cotter pin 42 holds this roller in position on the shaft 35.

On opposite sides of said shaft 35, a pair of pins 43 ext-end into the end of the roller 49 adjacent the disc 31. Upon these pins 43, I mount a pair of idle pinions 44, forming planet wheels, and in mesh with the pinion 39 on the shaft 35. An internal gear 4| is secured tightly within the flange 38 of the disc 31, and meshes with the idle pinions 44, thus forming a planetary gear system.

A brake is provided to bear against the outside of the flange 38 to stop this gear 4| from rotation. This brake, designated 45, comprises a brake shoe 46 mounted upon an arm 41 which is pivotally mounted at 48 to the casing 39. The free end of the arm 41 is connected by a flexible strip 49 extending up over a pulley 59 illustrated in Figure 4. This pulley 59 is pivotally mounted Within the housing 24, and the arm 41 extends through a slot in this housing 24. The flexible strip 49 extends a partial revolution around the pulley 59, and is secured at 52 thereto. An arm 53 is also secured to the pulley 59 to rock the same. This arm 53 extends through the opposite wall from that through which the arm 41 extends, and is provided with an idle pulley 54 on the end thereof. The pulley 54 rests upon the tape I9 intermediate the projector C and the ticker B, and swings up or down, depending upon the length of tape between the ticker and the projecting apparatus.

To provide a tension on the tape l9 so as to provide a virtually constant pull for the motor 25 when it is operating to pull the tape, I provide an arm 55 pivoted in an ear 56 on the top of the housing 24. A bearing block 51 is mounted on this arm 55 to press the tape l9 against the housing 24. A slid-able weight 58 on the arm 55 is adjustable to vary the tension on the tape. As may be seen, the weight of the bearing block 51 and the arm 55, with its weight 58, tend to stop the tape from movement, and create a tension in the tape |9.

To hold the tape |9 firmly against the roller 59, I mount a bracket 59 on the housing 39, and pivotally mount a shaft 69 in this bracket 59. A bell crank lever 92 is pivotally mounted at its intermediate pivot to rotate with the shaft 69. One arm of the lever 62 is bifurcated to accommodate the bearing wheel 63 which is pivoted between the spaced ends of this lever arm. The other arm 54 of the lever 62 forms a finger engaging end by means of which the lever 62 may be easily pivoted.

. Some means is provided for holding the bearing wheel 63 against the roller 49 to hold the tape |9 therebetween with spring tension. This means is shown as comprising a plunger 65 having a tapered end 66 which is urged by a spring 91 against the shaft 89. The plunger 65 is mounted in a cylindrical passage in the bracket 59. The shaft 99 is provided with depressions 63 into which the plunger 65 may extend, to hold the bearing wheel 63 either against the roller 49 or pivoted away from the roller. As the diameter of the wheel 63 is slightly large to permit the plunger to extend to the bottom of the depressions 68 when the wheel 63 is pivoted against the roller 49, there is provided a spring force urging the wheel 63 against the roller 49. v

In operation, the tape I9 is threaded into operative position from the ticker, under the pulley 54, over the guide rollers l9 on either side of the light aperture over which the tape passes, and between the roller 49 and the bearing wheel 63. The motor 25 is then turned on. If the loop 19 in the tape I9 is sufiiciently large, the arm 53 pivots downwardly rotating the pulley 59. This acts to wind a part of the flexible strip 49 upon the pulley 59, drawing the arm 41 upwardly. The arm 41 pivots about its pivot 48, urging the brake shoe 46 against the flange 38 of the disc 31.

Stopping the rotation of the disc 31 acts to stop the internal gear 4| secured therein. Thus, the rotation of the motor driven shaft 35 and the pinion 39 secured thereon acts to move the idle gears or pinions 44 as planet gears, their centers moving in a circular path. As these centers are mounted upon pins 43, however, set into the roller 49, this roller 49 is caused to rotate by the motor 25 when the brake shoe 46 stops rotation of the flange 38 and disc 31.

When the ticker B ceases to operate, or operates more slowly than the tape M is fed by the tape feeding means A, the loop 19 diminishes in size. This causes the pulley 54 on the arm 53 to pivot upwardly, rotating the pulley 59. This unwinds a portion of the flexible strip 49 from the pulley 59, and allows the free end of the arm 4'! bearing the brake shoe 46 to pivot downwardly, releasing the brake shoe from the flange 38. Because of the fact that there is more leverage tending to turn the disc 31 and flange than there is to turn the roller 49, the pinions 44 will be rotated by the central pinion 39 and will act upon the internal gear 4| to rotate the disc 31, the centers of the pinions 44 remaining stationary.

It may be seen that my feeding device operates intermittently in accordance with the movement of the tape fromthe ticker. The movement of the tape is not jerky, :as the brake gradually contacts the flange 38, and causes the roller 49 to slowly start into rotation.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of operation of my feeding mechanism; andwhile I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that this is only illustrative of a means of carrying out my invention, and that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim: v

l. A tape feed mechanism including a rotatable driving means, means constantly rotating said driving means, a pair of rotatable driven means, either one of which is rotatable while the other remains idle, means for advancing the tape by one of said rotatable driven means, and means in engagement with the tape and sensitive to tension in the tape and operatively associated mechanically with the other of said driven means for holding said other of said means stationary to drive the tape.

2. A tape feed mechanism including a constantly rotating driving means, a pair of rotatable driven means, means connecting said rotatable driven means to said driving means to drive either of said means while the other of said rotatable means remains stationary, and means in engagement with the tape and sensitive to tension in the tape and operatively associated mechanically with one of said rotatable driven means for holding said one of said rotatable driven means stationary to cause rotation of the other of said rotatable means.

3. A ticker tape feed mechanism including a continuously rotating drive means, a clutch operated by said drive means having a continuous mechanical connection with said drive means, and means in engagement with the tape and sensitive to tension in the tape and operatively associated mechanically with a part of said clutch for holding said part of said clutch stationary during continuous operation of said drive means.

4. A ticker tape feed mechanism including a continuously rotatable drive means, a tape advancing means, and a clutch interposed between said drive means and said tape advancing means having a continuous mechanical connection with said drive means and with said tape advancing means and means in engagement with the tape and sensitive to tension in the tape and opera,-

tively associated mechanically with a part of said clutch for holding said part of said clutchstationary during continuous operation of said drive means.

5. A tape feed mechanism including a continuously rotatable driving means, a series of gears driven by said driving means, a tape feed roller driven by said gears, means supporting said gears to permit said driving means to constantly oper-- ate while said feed roller remains stationary and means in engagement with the tape and sensitive to tension in the tape and operatively associated mechanically with a part of said supporting means to anchor said part of said supporting means in turn to release said feed roller.

6. A means for pulling a tape intermittently, including a constantly rotatable driving mechanisrn, a tape pulling roller for pulling tape and varying the tension of the pulled tape, a second rotatable member, said driving mechanism selectively driving said roller and said second member, and means in engagement with the tape sensitive to variations in the tension of the tape and operatively associated mechanically with a part of said second rotatable member for stopping rotation of said second rotatable member to start rotation of said roller.

'7. A tape feed mechanism including a continuously rotatable driving element rotatable at a predetermined uniform speed, a tape pulling roller, a variable speed imparting clutch operatively associating said driving element with said pulling roller exclusively controlled by said clutch, said clutch including a rotatable clutch element when retarded operable to initiate the rotation of said tape pullingroller and when liberated and while picking up speed operable to initiate a gradual retardation of said tape pulling roller, a drum 0peratively associated with said clutch to control said clutch, a brake-shoe positioned to engage and anchor or release said drum, and a lever operatively associated with said brake-shoe and hav- ,ing a portion thereof riding on the tape, said lever being responsive to deflections in the tape when slack is formed to actuate said shoe against said drum thereby to enable said driving element to actuate said tape pulling roller and in turn responsive to dissipation of slack in the tape to actuate said shoe to release said drum in turn to enable said drum again to rotate and thereby cut out rotation of said tape pulling roller.

8. A tape feed mechanism including a tape pulling roller, a control device including a rotatable element operably associated with said roller exclusively controlled by said device, said device when retarded initiating the rotation of said tape pulling roller and when liberated and while picking up speed initiating a gradual retardation of said tape pulling roller, a brake drum operatively associated with said control device, a brake-shoepositioned to engage and anchor or release said brake drum, and a lever operatively associated with said brake-shoe and having apart thereof riding on the tape, said lever being responsive to deflections in the tape when slack is formed to actuate said shoe against said drum thereby to cause said tape pulling roller to be actuated, and in turn responsive to the dissipation of slack in the tape to actuate said shoe to release said drum to enable said drum again to rotate and thereby cut out rotation of said tape pulling roller.

9. A tape feed mechanism including a tape pulling roller, a variable speed imparting clutch operatively associated with said tape pulling roller, said clutch including a control device having a rotatable element when retarded operable to initiate the rotation of said tape pulling roller and when liberated and while picking up speed operable to initiate a gradual retardation of said tape pulling roller, a brake drum operatively associated with said control device, a brake-shoe positioned to engage and anchor or release said brake drum, and a lever operatively associated with said brake-shoe and having a part thereof riding on the tape, said lever being responsive to deflections in the tape when slack is formed to actuate said shoe against said drum thereby to cause said tape pulling roller to be actuated, and in turn responsive to the dissipation of slack in the tape to actuate said shoe to release said drum to enable said drum again to rotate and thereby cut out rotation of said tape pulling roller.

10. A tape feed mechanism including a driving means, a tape pulling roller, a variable speed imparting clutch operatively associating said driving means with said tape pulling roller exclusively controlled by said clutch, said clutch including a control device having a rotatable element when arrested operable to efiect the prompt start of said tape pulling roller and when liberated and while picking up speed operable to initiate a gradual retardation of said tape pulling roller, a brake drum operatively associated with said clutch to control the operation thereof, a brake tuate said tape pulling roller and in turn responsive' to the dissipation of slack to actuate said shoe to release said drum to enable said drum again to rotate and thereby cut out rotation of said tape pulling roller.

THCMAS H. NORTH. 

